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I am an Ordained Minister, a Shaman, a Reiki Master Teacher, an Aromatherapist, a Massage Therapist, an Herbalist in training, & a Crystal Healer in training! I am also a Writer! I am one of the Neo- Celí Dé (a form of Celtic christian mysticism based on original early Christianity, & certain Celtic philosophies, perspectives, & certain Druidic elements). I am also a proud member of Clan MacKay.
NO PARTIES, JUST PATRIOTISM!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

(Pronounced several ways depending on
dialect; I personally learned to pronounce it as bay-shum. The most common
pronunciation is probably bee-zum or be-zoom. What I believe about the way I
was taught is that it is southern slang from a particular locale. Historically
however it is usually besom pronounced bee-zum.)

The Besum is the ritual broom. It is commonly used to
cleanse both sacred and mundane space. Sometimes used to sweep across front
door stoops to cleanse the way for good and bar the path of evil.

It is used to
aid in astral flight many times. It is thought that during the burning times as
witches call the era from the European inquisitions till the end of the
American inquisition, that the bristles of the besum hid the power staff of
ritual practitioners.

Brooms have been used ritually all over the world. The
three primary cultures that truly perfected it’s ritual use in ancient times are The Hebrews, The Africans, and The Europeans…though these are not the only
cultures to have used the besum whatever it may be called in other cultures.

It
is thought that if you use the besum and sweep from east to west traveling the
same path as the sun in it’s cycle that you will block evil from entering
whatever space you are trying to cleanse and protect. The broom is now used in
both Celtic and African wedding rituals to cleanse the first steps of the
newlyweds, and this usually involves the couple jumping over the broom
together; this is called jumping the broom...though sometimes it is just a step over the broom instead of a leap.

There are many beliefs surrounding
most of the ritual tools. These beliefs are called Lore. This simple poem offers
part of the Lore of The Besum.

Cleanse your space good and clear, and cleanse your broom
year after year.

Fly them high and fly them low, and cleanse the sky where
you may go.

Sweep your tracks good and clear; when in Spirit-flight hold
to no fear.

Thus the broom does much for thee, a tool to clear your path
so none may see.

A ritual teaching poem adapted by Rev. Loush O’Raven

This version was written in the year of our Lord 1996

Educational notes;

for those that do not know, the term Widdershins means to
work backwards or counter clockwise in order to banish negative energies. Also
in my tradition which differs from many ritual traditions…Nemetons or sacred
ritual circles are cast counter-clockwise and not clockwise. Part of the idea
of creating a ritual circle is to create a space outside of mundane time or
ordinary time; and ordinary reality. The goal is a shamanic one…to enter into
what has been called Non-oridnary reality, and Non-oridnary time or rather a
place of eternity where there is no liner time. Most things seem to move in a
clockwise pattern of motion. So how can one truly step out of time
energetically speaking if one is creating space moving in the usual or mundane
direction? It seems to me that one can not. So in my tradition circles are
created using a counter clockwise pattern, and when we want to end the circles
we move in a clockwise pattern thus bringing us back into ordinary time.

Astral flight for those that do not know is a ritual form of
astral projection. Sometimes ritual practitioners use the visualization or
riding or carrying a broom for the purpose of hiding themselves energetically
when in astral form. This is because it is believed that on or within the
astral plains there are all sorts of beings. Not all of them are good or
benevolent. Some are malicious. During the burning times when witch hysteria
was running rampant it was believed that witches flew in this manner in order
to appear to only their supposed intended would be victims; so that only their
victims could see them. In the case of the Salem
witch trials this was very prominent. Many of the young idiot girls involved in
the trails would scream and claim to see visions of the accused “witch” or
person coming or flying at them, or appearing to them and no one else. Of
course this may also have been a case where demons took the forms of familiar
people in order to spread the evil hate, and fear, and get innocent people
murdered by these pseudo-christian puritans.

The broom is hung or moved or placed in different ways in
order to accomplish different purposes. Many times the broom is placed in the
corner of a room and if it falls by itself then it is believed you should get
your house clean as quickly as possible because company is coming. Sometimes
this means spiritual company and sometimes physical company. The broom falling
is a message to “Get your house in order”. This is why sometimes in ritual
speak when someone is dying or passing over as it is commonly called, it is
sad… “Your Broom has fallen”. I have witnessed this occurrence before several
times first hand and it always amazes me how it happens. I have stood there and
had a broom fall in my house and twenty minutes later someone showed up unexpectedly. I have also seen this in the house of several friends. Once it
was a warning about a spiritual visitation. Sometimes two brooms are crossed as
a stronger ward against evil. Sometimes nemetons are formed using brooms so
that around thirteen brooms or so form a ritual circle.

It is a good idea to keep your broom clean even if it is
mundane. If it is ritual it just makes sense to clean all of your tools so that
certain energies are not carried from one ritual usage to the next. In the
mundane world if you do not clean your brooms you often just end up endlessly
spreading around dirtiness which renders the act of sweeping pointless. Cleaning
the ritual broom usually involves smudging it. Many ritual practitioners keep
two or three brooms. One that is a ritual only besum, one that you bless and use to keep
your house swept, and one to bless and then sweep outside with.

Often the broom is used in place of a staff in ritual. It
can also hold the east corner or the place of air. Usually if it is used as an air
tool than it has feathers attached to it or bells.

There are many styles of besum including short hand brooms
and often these are used in place of feather smudging fans to do smudging on
people. Smudging for those that do not know; is the act of using sacred smoke
from various ritual herbs to cleanse the energies of a person, object, or
space. It is not unique to any one culture. Almost all cultures have a version
of smudging and almost all religions that I am aware of have a similar type of
ritual. The Hebrews did it in the old testament temple
of God with cedar, frankincense,
and later christians used frankincense, myrrh, rose, spikenard, and other
various oils, herbs, and plant substances. Catholics use incense which is
common in other religions and cultures as well. Pagans are particularly fond of
this as are “Native Americans”, druids, shamanic practitioners, and it is
gaining popularity among yoga and reiki practitioners as well. Native Americans
as they are now being called use white sage and sweet grass and many ritual practitioners
have taken on this habit. Celts and druids used and still use Juniper,
Lavender, and other various plant substances. Many times herbs are put onto or
into the besum to make it more powerful. For the same purpose other items might
be put onto or into a broom.

During a certain part f history it is said that Witches used Parasols and Umbrellas instead of Brooms to fly and also to conceal their tracks and Identities. The exact era this is supposed to have been popular in legends about witches is debated. I have heard the Victorian ear quoted many times. It may have been this idea that inspired a unique aspect of the famous literary and film character Mary Poppins. A wonderful depictions of witches using this method of flying can be found in the film Practical Magic.

Well I hope you enjoyed learning a little about this fascinating
ritual tool. Perhaps you might even get yourself one to use, even if only to
sweep out the dust from your house and cleanse your personal space like the Hebrews
of old.

Links;

Disclaimer 2:

Rev. Lucien O'Corvi:

I am an Ordained Minister, a Shaman, a Reiki Master Teacher, an Aromatherapist, a Massage Therapist, an Herbalist in training, & a Crystal Healer in training! I am also a Writer! I am one of the Neo- Celí Dé (a form of Celtic Christian mysticism based on original early Christianity, & certain Celtic philosophies, perspectives, & certain Druidic elements). I am also a proud member of Clan MacKay.

NO PARTIES, JUST PATRIOTISM!

DISCLAIMER: I am not a western doctor! A fact I thank God every day for! So always check with your physician before utilizing any and all information regarding health! hopefully your physician is a naturalistic, holistic, & spiritually based doctor! Remember that western allopathic mainstream medicine (or as I like to call it Allo-pathetic lol) can be very harmful & dangerous. Always proceed with caution & stay responsible for your own health. Western diagnosis and surgery can be great things but are not always. Most (though not all) western so called "medicines" & drugs are nothing but poisons. Research for yourself & never take anyone's word for anything, especially just because they wear a white coat & have a title, a piece of paper, & letters after their name. Don't be impressed by superficial things like that. Really find out.